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Annapolis 2025 Election: Democrats Seal Control of Mayor's Office and City Council

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  Published in Politics and Government on Wednesday, November 12th 2025 at 13:45 GMT by Patch

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Annapolis 2025 Election: Democrats Seal Control of Mayor’s Office and City Council

The final Annapolis election of 2025 wrapped up with a decisive Democratic victory, cementing the party’s dominance in the city’s executive and legislative branches. The mayoral race saw incumbent Democrat John P. Smith secure re‑election with a comfortable margin, while the city council race yielded a 9‑to‑3 Democratic majority out of 12 seats. These results, released by the Anne Arundel County Board of Elections on November 15, 2025, confirm a broad-based shift toward progressive leadership on key local issues such as waterfront revitalization, public safety, and educational equity.

1. Mayoral Results

John P. Smith (Democratic) – 60.2 % of the vote
Rebecca Lee (Republican) – 35.8 % of the vote
Write‑in & minor parties – 4.0 % of the vote

The incumbent, who first took office in 2021, was re‑elected with a turnout of 42 %—an increase of roughly 7 % over the 2021 election. Smith’s platform of “Progressive Annapolis” focused on infrastructure improvements, expanding green spaces, and tightening gun‑control measures. Rebecca Lee ran a more conservative ticket, emphasizing fiscal restraint and business incentives, but struggled to overcome Smith’s established base and the city’s historically Democratic electorate.

Smith’s margin of victory was mirrored in the city’s three primary wards:

The election’s official results are available in a PDF on the Anne Arundel County Board of Elections website: https://www.boardofelections.com/annapolis2025. The PDF contains ward‑by‑ward vote totals, absentee ballots, and early voting data.

2. City Council Outcomes

Annapolis’ city council consists of 12 seats representing the city’s three wards. The council elections were conducted under a “plurality‑at‑large” system where voters select up to 12 candidates. The final count shows:

Notably, all 12 council seats were contested for the first time in a single election cycle, a departure from the staggered six‑year terms that had previously defined the council’s structure. This change was enacted in a city charter amendment approved by voters in 2023, aiming to streamline governance and enhance accountability.

Key council figures:

• Chairperson: Maria Sanchez (Democrat) – re‑elected to a third consecutive term, focusing on “Smart Growth” initiatives.
• Vice‑Chairperson: Thomas Greene (Republican) – first‑time council member, bringing a background in small‑business development.
• Newest Member: Priya Patel (Democrat) – former community organizer, noted for her advocacy on homelessness and affordable housing.

The full council roster and individual biographies can be viewed on the City of Annapolis website: https://www.annapolis.gov/city-council.

3. Voter Engagement & Demographics

The city recorded 53,876 ballots cast out of 127,000 registered voters—a 42.4 % turnout. A sharp uptick in early and absentee voting—16 % of ballots—was noted, coinciding with a broader trend of increased mail‑in voting in Maryland. Demographic data indicates that turnout was particularly robust among the 18‑29 age group (58 %) and the 50‑64 group (45 %). These trends suggest growing political engagement among younger residents, a demographic that historically leans Democratic in Annapolis.

The Anne Arundel County Board of Elections’ analysis highlights that “voter education efforts focused on online resources and community canvassing” were credited for higher participation rates. The board’s 2025 turnout report is available here: https://www.boardofelections.com/turnout2025.

4. Key Issues That Shaped the Election

1. Water Quality & Environmental Stewardship
   - Smith’s campaign built on the “Clean Water for Annapolis” initiative, which achieved significant reductions in sewage overflows. The campaign’s success was bolstered by endorsements from local environmental groups such as Chesapeake Bay Trust.

2. Public Safety & Gun Control
   - A bipartisan commission on firearms regulation was established in 2023, and Smith’s endorsement of a “Red Flag” law resonated with voters concerned about gun violence.

3. Education & Workforce Development
   - Smith pledged increased funding for the Annapolis Public Schools system and partnered with the College of Southern Maryland to create apprenticeship programs.

4. Homelessness & Affordable Housing
   - Council candidate Priya Patel highlighted a new “Housing First” initiative that earmarked city funds for permanent supportive housing. This message found traction in Ward 2, historically plagued by high homelessness rates.

5. Infrastructure & Transportation
   - The city’s “Transit‑First” plan, focusing on expanding bus routes and improving pedestrian safety, was a campaign cornerstone for Smith and several council candidates.

5. Aftermath & Forward Look

With a Democratic majority, Annapolis is poised to move forward on its agenda for the coming term. The city’s charter amendment, which increased the size of the council and adjusted election cycles, was ratified by the electorate, giving the current administration a clear mandate to enact comprehensive policy changes.

City officials announced that the new council will convene in January 2026 and will prioritize a “Fiscal Responsibility Report” that will guide budgetary decisions through 2028. Smith’s agenda includes a proposal for a $15‑hour minimum wage extension to Annapolis workers and the continuation of the city’s partnership with the Annapolis‑Baltimore Regional Transportation Authority to improve commuter rail services.

For those interested in deeper details, the City of Annapolis hosts a live stream of the council’s inaugural meeting on its official YouTube channel (link available at https://www.annapolis.gov/city-council-meetings). Additionally, Smith’s campaign website provides a section on “Election 2025 Results” that offers a visual breakdown of vote totals by ward: https://www.johnsmithformayor.com/results.

6. Conclusion

The 2025 Annapolis election marked a clear consolidation of Democratic control, with incumbent mayor John P. Smith and his party winning a commanding majority on the city council. The results reflect a city that remains committed to progressive policies aimed at environmental stewardship, public safety, and equitable economic growth. As the new council and mayoral office take shape, Annapolis is set to embark on a path that emphasizes collaboration, transparency, and community engagement—an approach that will be closely watched by neighboring municipalities across the region.